Genetic Screening and Types of Mutations

Question 1

Loss of Function Alleles

Answer 1

The affected gene does not function

Question 2

Gain of Function Alleles

Answer 2

The mutant allele results in the constitutive activation of a gene (i.e. always active)

Question 3

Autotrophic

Answer 3

Can produce all amino acids by themselves.

Question 4

Dominant Negative

Answer 4

A loss of function mutation that leads to a defect of the mutated protein that interferes with the wild type protein.

Question 5

Antemorph

Answer 5

A mutant poisons the function of another gene

Question 6

Neomorph

Answer 6

A mutant leads to a gain of function which is not identical to that of the activated gene/protein.

Question 7

Allelic Series

Answer 7

A series of independently isolated mutants in the same gene, which results in a different strength of gene inactivation.

Question 8

EMS Mutagenesis

Answer 8

Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) is commonly used as a mutagen to induce mutations for studying in genetic screens for mutant phenotypes. EMS induces point mutations.